Villainess Becomes The Knight

William pov

The moment she told me that she didn't get time to read my letter, I knew instantly that she had not received my letter. I was even sure that it was her father doing. He must be worried about her. After all, she was not even 16 and the life of the royal palace was too dark.

So, I took the benefit of the chance and rejected her coldly. I wanted her to stop me but at the same time i didn't want her to call me just in case my resolve broke.

I took a deep breath when she did not call me. I didn't know I was relieved or hurt more. But the day had not finished yet. Who would have known that she would go straight to Gerard and insult him subtly.

He was already angered with the fact that she had not chosen him and now I was sure he would take her as an enemy. I had to keep her close to keep her safe. It had been years since I had ever changed my decision. But this girl! She had forced me to take my decision back in ten minutes without even trying to persuade me.

"Go and ask the girl to join me as an official knight." I asked James and he nodded, he must have analyzed the situation already.

After a while he returned with Abigail following him and then her lover behind him. I still feel that i had seen him somewhere but it was hard that i forget someone so easily, yet i could not recall where have i met him.

"I am honored to get the invitation to serve you, your highness." she replied bowing to me, her face had no happiness that could confirm her words.

Just what was she trying to achieve. I remember she never wanted to be a knight! Her dream was to marry a noble and live her life as the proper lady of the house. Even a speck of dust used to annoy her and now! How much change had come in her these past years!

"I hope you will not make further mistakes, sir Abigail. There is a ceremony of knights on this weekend, every knight who had won the competitions would be announced as knight there. I hope you will be there on time. After that you would join me in the academy as my personal knight after 10 days.`` I told her in a strict tone. Did she have any idea how difficult it was for me?

"I will be there on time, your highness. I am grateful for this chance." she nodded and then continued to look at me with impatience.

"You may go now." the moment words left my mouth she bowed and left. A chuckle escaped my lips at her antics. She still did not have patience no matter how much she tried to create the facade.

"Your highness, do we need to keep an eye on the duke's son?" asked James moving closer to me.

"haven't we already set a lot of eyes on him? If you increase he would be doubtful.  Assign your best knight to Abigail, keep an eye on her from afar. No harm should be done to her." the man frowned as he looked at me and then at the girl who had already disappeared.

"Your highness, she is a knight herself. And her whole family is filled with knights too. The man who was following her. Though he was standing there lazily I could feel his killing intent from afar. She did not need further protection of ours." 

"Hmm, do you know that man?" 

"Not much. He is a troop leader of the first order of knights and also helps in training new knights. Abigail is training under him only. He had no family so he lived in the duke's palace annex building." 

So that advantage he had over me, to be close to her 24/7.

"Your highness, is there any problem?" he asked again and I shook my head.

"Come, let's go and complete our task for the day. Flirt with some girls and then go back to the brothel. Lucas is going to bring the report of the last incident." 

He nodded his head in agreement and we walked to the table again.

"Your highness, I have never thought that you would be this busy in the party too. I didn't even get the chance to serve your special tea." said his sister. Did she not know that her brother and I were enemies? Yet I enjoy how foolishly she would tell me things in exchange for a smile.

"I apologise, lady Sophie. I got busy hearing the praises of your brother. I must say his clothing business has achieved great success in the shortest period of time."

"Oh, you are too kind, your highness. It is all because of Lars. he is a great designer and his every work is perfect and completely different from others. If he had not joined us, the business would have never gained this much momentum. But it was my idea to hire him and I was the one to come up with the idea of business." she boosted herself but all i heard was the name Lars. 

I looked at James who smiled subtly. 

"Is that so, lady Sophie. I must say that you are very talented." I held her hand and she moved closer to me, giving me a fake bashful smile.

"But I must say you are too kind to let all the credit taken by your brother. You should be the one who is getting all this praise and stand in front of everyone with your head held high. I feel too bad for you, lady Sophie.`` I added, rubbing her hands and then making small circles over her arms as she melted and nodded without even listening to what I was saying.

"So, why not do one thing, we shall tell everyone that you are the mind of the business and not your brother."